Maintenance

Deep East Texas Council of Governments. Basic Computer Maintenance. Retrieved from http://www.detcog.org/DetCog/portals/0/Repository/1/basiccomputermaintenance.259781a0-d8d2-4971-86dc-c27d78dd0216.pdf

• Disk Defragmenter (run once a month) -- checks hard drive and diskette drives for errors

1. Click on Computer
2. Right click on C: drive
3. Select Properties from the grey menu box that pops up
4. Click the Tools tab in the next box that appears, and then click on Check Now
5. When the Check Disk box opens, select both options and then click Start

• Scan Disk (run once a month) -- improves how your hard drive performs

1. Click on Computer
2. Right click on C: drive
3. Select Properties from the grey menu box that pops up
4. Click the Tools tab in the next box that appears, and then click on Defragment Now
5. In the next box that appears click on the C: Drive, and then click Defragment
6. Once it's finished, a report will come up. Just click OK

• Disk Clean Up (run once a month)--deletes old temporary files from the computer

1. Click on Computer
2. Right click on C: drive
3. Select Properties from the grey menu box that pops up
4. Click the General tab in the next box that appears, and then click on Disk Cleanup
5. A message saying that it is calculating will appear
6. Once it's done calculating, another box will appear with all of the files. Select all of the files you want to delete, except for the Recycle Bin, and then click OK
7. Once OK is hit, it will delete the files and the box will close when finished

• Windows Updates (run once a week)--protects against viruses

• Microsoft Office Updates (run once a week)--makes sure programs are functioning correctly & to safeguard against viruses

  • These two items can be updated by the computer with a click of a button. When you go to shut down your computer, if a symbol appears on the shut down button, then there is an update. There will be an option to install updates and shut down computer. Select that option. DO NOT touch anything else. You might want to make sure that the computer is plugged into a power source because the updates could take some time. Once all of the updates are installed, the computer will shut down.

Virus Prevention

Bientek Computer Service. (2010). 3 Basic Steps for Computer Virus Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.bientek.com/blog/3-basic-steps-for-computer-virus-prevention/

1. Make sure you have an Antivirus Software installed and that it is kept updated.
2. Keep Windows updated
3. Make sure to use reliable sites and software…avoid the dangerous ones

Additional steps that can be taken once steps 1-3 are taken care of:

1. Instead of using Internet Explorer, use Firefox, Safari, Opera, or another free browser
2. Use a router, enable the Windows Firewall or another firewall
3. Make sure you have a computer program to check for updates for other programs like Adobe Reader and Java

It is very important for teachers to understand the basics of maintenance and security. Most schools do not have a big technology department. Therefore, if a teacher has planned a project that uses technology, there most likely won't be anyone to come to his/her rescue right away when something isn't working. Also, most schools have limited technology for use. If the technology isn't well maintained, it is going to be slow or not work the way it should, which wastes valuable class time. The technology may actually have to go out of circulation for a while, if the teacher has to wait for the tech department to update the technology. If the teacher is able to keep everything updated and working well, the technology will always be available and should work well. Security is important in keeping the students safe, as well as the sites the students will use "healthy". Security also is a factor in keeping the technology maintained. By a teacher being proactive and keeping technology updated and secure, he/she is able to focus on teaching and making the best of his/her class time with students.